Daily History Lessons IV (Day 4, Early Morning)

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"I am well. And you, Hideo-dono?"

She followed his look to Tomoe. "The Emerald Champion is a prestigious position. I am interested in hearing more about the tournament itself."

Hideo raised a brow at his first name being so openly used, but didn't call her on it. Not yet anyway.

"I am very well thank you; a very good story to start the morning and wonderful company as well" he nodded to the woman with a polite smile "the test of the Emerald Championship is a difficult one. The candidates are tested on every aspect of being a samurai and a man of the law; Etiquette, Investigation, Law, Martial ability, Resources. They are also tested on ability to lead, to see if they can adapt quickly to an every-changing scenario. Once the candidates have been tested, those who are still considered to be worthy are entered into an Iaijutsu competition. The heavens then decide who is to the next champion, the honour being bestowed upon the victor by the Emperor himself."

Yue cupped her chin as she thought on the matter. "The Emerald Champion must be an impressive samurai," she remarked. "Iaijutsu is the last test because of Kakita?"

[Seppun Hideo]

"Only the greatest samurai in the empire is worthy of being responsible of the protection of the Emperor himself" Hideo commented with a nod "Iaijutsu is the chosen art for many things, including this. The Emerald Champion is considered to be the yojimbo of the Emperor, none but the best should represent him."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

Yue thought on the usage of yojimbo for a moment. "Does anyone ever challenge the Emperor to an iaijutsu duel?" she asked. Her tone revealed that she was skeptical and yet curious.

[Seppun Hideo]

"Why would anyone challenge the Emperor?" Hideo asked, curious to the question

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"I do not know. I thought that would be," Yue trailed off. She was unsure of how to put it. "Wrong." She scratched the back of her head. "I thought the purpose of a yojimbo was to represent someone in a duel."

[Seppun Hideo]

"Ah, I see the confusion. My apologies" Hideo bowed in apology "A yojimbo is a protector, whose role is to keep the one they are assigned to alive. Many courtiers have yojimbo to protect themselves, not just in duels but in any situation where they may be at risk. The Emerald Champion is tasked to protect the Emperor from any threats. I hope that clarifies this a little more."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

The Shinjo shook her head. "The apology is not necessary, HIdeo-dono." Still, she gave a deep bow in return. "Sou desu ka. I understand now. Arigatou gozaimasu."

She then thought more on the matter of the Emerald Championship. "Does an Imperial ever become Emerald Champion?" she asked. She was not sure if that was considered bizarre.

[Usagi Tomoe]

With The majority of the lesson done Daisuke looked up from his work and glanced around the group before addressing Tomoe. "Out of curiosity Usagi-san."

"Do you know why they used to host the Emerald Championship here?" It seemed a rather out of a way place for it, well at least to the Badger. Also no one else seemed to be interested in asking questions. They were supposed to ask questions right?'

"Hm... I am not aware of any particular reasons why they chose to hold it here," the Hare admitted. "Not that I have read or heard of, at least. Perhaps the first Son of Heaven simply had a liking to it?"

[Ichiro Daisuke]

That seemed as likely as any reason the Badger could think of, so Daisuke nodded. Though now he was a bit curious about why they had moved it...

But after a moment of contemplating he decided not to ask. The answer would probably be something like 'Because it's in the middle of nowhere silly.' anyways.

"I see." He murmured at last. "Do you think it may be held here again with the Unicorn's return?"

"If you don't mind speculating about it."

[Usagi Tomoe]

"Hmmm... perhaps. It could be a historical event to return to the place of the first Emerald Championship, but it would probably be a while until the next tournament, as it isn't that long since Kakita Seiko-sama assumed the mantle of that office," the Usagi said in a friendly tone.

"There is of course nothing wrong in speculating about where future tournaments might take place."

[Seppun Hideo]

The Shinjo shook her head. "The apology is not necessary, HIdeo-dono." Still, she gave a deep bow in return. "Sou desu ka. I understand now. Arigatou gozaimasu."

She then thought more on the matter of the Emerald Championship. "Does an Imperial ever become Emerald Champion?" she asked. She was not sure if that was considered bizarre.

"An Imperial could become the Emerald champion" Hideo nodded "if one was to win the tournament. Any who are worthy can be invited to enter the competition, it is not based on being from a specific clan. Even one from the Unicorn, should the position become vacant, could become the Emerald Champion if they proved themselves skilled enough."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"An Imperial could become the Emerald champion" Hideo nodded "if one was to win the tournament. Any who are worthy can be invited to enter the competition, it is not based on being from a specific clan. Even one from the Unicorn, should the position become vacant, could become the Emerald Champion if they proved themselves skilled enough."

"Sou desu ka." Liu Yue smiled faintly at the idea. "It would be a grand return for my Clan to secure the position of Emerald Champion. We will see if that happens," she stated with a smile

The Shinjo woman then thought to change the subject. "How has the miai treated you, Hideo-dono?"

[Ichiro Daisuke]

"Hmmm... perhaps. It could be a historical event to return to the place of the first Emerald Championship, but it would probably be a while until the next tournament, as it isn't that long since Kakita Seiko-sama assumed the mantle of that office," the Usagi said in a friendly tone.

"There is of course nothing wrong in speculating about where future tournaments might take place."

Would it be that long? Emerald Champions had seemed to pass fairly regularly, at least of late. Still he she should believe in Kakita Seiko. "That's true, it will likely be the time of my children when we see another."

As her further words he nodded. Though he couldn't seem to think of any furtehr questions for the Hare.

[Seppun Hideo]

"Sou desu ka." Liu Yue smiled faintly at the idea. "It would be a grand return for my Clan to secure the position of Emerald Champion. We will see if that happens," she stated with a smile

The Shinjo woman then thought to change the subject. "How has the miai treated you, Hideo-dono?"

"This miai has been very enjoyable. You and your kin have been a delight to converse with, and very warm and welcoming. I have felt truly honoured to be sent here to marry, and look forward to either welcoming one of your kin into the Imperial Families, or joining your clan. I hope your time here has been enjoyable also, and the samurai of the Empire have been as friendly as you have towards us."

[Shinjo Liu Yue]

"This miai has been very enjoyable. You and your kin have been a delight to converse with, and very warm and welcoming. I have felt truly honoured to be sent here to marry, and look forward to either welcoming one of your kin into the Imperial Families, or joining your clan. I hope your time here has been enjoyable also, and the samurai of the Empire have been as friendly as you have towards us."

"I have had immense pleasure in meeting the guests here, Hideo-dono," she replied with a bright smile. "There is an infinite expanse for me to venture. There may be six other Major Clans but there is much history to each one." She then blinked and let out a small chuckle. "And I need to learn more about the Imperial Families."